English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Wensley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Wensley

Historical Forms

  • Wendreslaga, Wentreslaga 1086 DB
  • Wandesle(i), Wandesley, Wandeslegh 1199 Cur 1201 Abbr
  • Wendesle(y), Wendeslay 1201 Cur 1205 Abbr 1396 Pap
  • Wenselawe 1363 FF
  • Wenslaugh 1536 YChant

Etymology

'Wændel's forest-clearing' v. leah . The first element is from an OE  pers. name Wændel , for the use of which in p.n.'s v. Wensdon (PN BedsHu 114). On the DB forms v. IPN 107.